Apparatus for treating photographic films



8 Sheets-Sheet l June 24, 1930. G. c. BEIDLER APPARATUS F'ORk TREATING PHOTOGRAPHIC FILMS Filed Aug. 5, 1927 1 o INVENTO i ATTORNEY.

June 24, 1930. Q C, BEIDLER 1,768,501

APPARATUS FOR TRBATING PHOTOGRAPHIC FILMS Filed Aug. 5, 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 HIM Y' l INVENTOR. f* Y AWM A TTORNEY.

June 24, 1930. G. c. BEAIDLER 1,758,501

APPARTUS FOR TREATING PHOTOGRAPHIC FILMS Filed Aug. 5, 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 le i l N VEN TOR.

A TToR/v Y.

June 24, 1930. G. c. BEIDLER 1,768,501

APPARATUS FOR TREATING PHOTOGRAPHIC FILMS Filed Aug. 5, 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 l N VEN TOR.

BY rim@ CM June 24, 1930. G. c. BEIDLER APPARATUS FOR TREATING PHOTOGRAPHIC FILHS s sheets-sheet` 5 Filed Aug. 5, 1927 June 24, 1930- s. c. BEIDLER 1,768,501

APPARATUS FOR TREATING PHOTOGRAPHIC PILIS Filed Aug. 5, 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet ,6

l ATTORNEY.

G. c. BEIDLER 1,768,501 APPARATUS FOR TREATING PHOTOGRAPHIC FIIIS Filed Aug. 5, 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 I 9% MII' ZHHMHHIH" f "lmullil INVENTI'OR,

G. C. BEIDLER APPARATUS FOR TREATING PHOTOGRAPHIC PIIIS June 24, 1930.

Filed Aug. 5, 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR.

| lllllllll n BY l f ATTORNEY.

Patented Julie 24, 1930 UNiTED@ STATES 'J GEORGE C. BEIDLER, 0F ROCHESTER, NEW YORK APPARATUS FOR 'IREATING` PHOTOGRAPHIC FILMS Appiication mea August 5, 1927. serial No. 210,894. I

This invention relates to a method ofl and means for treating photographically sensi-- tized elements whereby photographically exposed sensitized elements are subjected to successive treatments which, result in developing the said elements, fixing and washing the same, and by which the elements are dried and delivered by theapparatus in a finished state.

The invention may be associated withcam-` eras which expose the sensitized element to light and with devices preferably within and forming a part of the apparatus for developing the said sensitized element and, as illustrating the best example, so far as known, for carrying the invention intol successful practice, itis disclosed asassociated with a camera or exposing apparatus and a devel-ny oping instrumentality associated therewith.

employed herein, but in the interests of brevity, such element will be hereinafter referred to as affilm. A

In the commercial cameras `which are employed for reproducing photocopies of commarcial documents, sensitized paper is drawn from a roll through an exposing chamber and, thereafter, appropriate lengths of the paper are cut and treated as the exposures are made. K Such sensitized aper is the object to`which reference has een made as a sensitized element; although, obviously, other flexible material capable of carr ing an emulsion might be employed as a su sti- 35v tute for the paper, andit is the purpose of r 'the inventor that any such material so coated will be comprehended within the term film. It is an object of the inventionto provide novel means which will withdraw film from' 40 the aforesaid developing instrumentality and-deliver it Vto-a fixing bath. The fixing bath, in the present embodiment of the invention, is located in such proximity to the developing instrumentality that film being'- mo'ved from a developing receptacle will be subjected to an initial coating of fixing fluid while it is being delivered to the fixing bath. It is well known that the time required for develo ment of a film is usuall quite less than t e time required for the xing agent `The term sensitized element has' been to act, and, hence, provision is made for storing a given number of films in the fixing bath; therefore, in the present showing, vprovision vis made for treating approximately ten films in the fixing bath prior to the time that the first of the group delivered thereto is removed and,`thereafter, each. time a film .is delivered to the vfixing bath, one is removed therefrom.

It is the purpose of this invention to provide novel means whereby, during. each successive operation of the means for drawing the exposed film and delivering it to the developing fluid, the *instrumentalities vb which the film is moved from the fixing batfi 65 will be actuated and that during such actuantion, films in the fixing bath will be successively shifted with respect to the fixing bath yor the container for the fixing bath.

It is a further object of the invention to provide `novel means operatively associated with the said means for removing film from the fixing bath, for receiving the fixed film and delivering it toa washin bath or tank in a fiat state on water or flui in the washing tank; and it is furthermore an object to provide novel means whereby the film is moved longitudinally of thewashing tank clear of the sides of said tank and in a manner to prevent adherence of the film with the sides of the tank or other interruption to the said movement of the film in the washing tank.

It ris furthermore an object to provide novel means by which the film is subjected to efficient action of the water or washing Huid; and furthermore, to provide novel means by which the films delivered to the Washing -fiuid are successively lshifted therein intermittentlywith or during the delivery of the films tothe washing tank; and the invention further contemplates the provision of novel means for successivel removing the filmsfrom the washing tan In the present embodiment of the invention, n the Washing tank is intended to hold approximately twenty films, and after said films have been delivered to it. one film is removed each time one is delivered. y It will be understood that the device can be proportioned so that the washing tank may contain more or less films, but` that would depend upon the time desirable for completing the washing process. As found in practice, during the time that approxin'iately twenty films have been delivered to the washing tank, the washing proc ess for the first delivered film has been satis factorily completed, but, if under other conditions, it would be desirable to have the film remain a greater or less time in the washing fluid, the shifting device or conveyor of the washing tank could be changed proportionally to the shifting device or conveyer of the fixing tank so as to bring about proper relative movements of the mechanism.

Furthermore, in carrying the invention into practice, it is an obiect to provide novel means for transferring film from the Washing fluid or tank and delivering it to a drier which is operative to dry the film and deliver it in a finished state.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide novel means whereby the aforesaid instrumentalities for transferring film from the developing fluid and delivering it to the fixing fluid, the mechanisms for moving the film in thefixing fiuid and removing it therefrom, as Well as the mechanism for moving film into the Washing tank, the mechanism for removing film from the Washing tank, the mechanism for delivering film to the drier, and the mechanism for operating the drier, are actuated in coordination intermittently or in time, according to the functions ascribed to the several parts: and furthermore, to provide a novel control whereby the actuation of one element, such as the film cutter, may control the `aforesaid actuating mechanisms.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction, and in the arrangement and combination of parts to be hereinafter more fully set forth and claimed.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this application, wherein like characters denote corresponding parts in the several views, and in Which- Figure 1 illustrates a view in elevation of an apparatus embodying the aforesaid mechanisms and instrumentalities;

Figure 2 illustrates an enlarged sectional View of a part of the means for moving film from the Washing tank to the drier;

Figure 3 illustrates a longitudinal lsectional view of the apparatus;

Figure 4 illustrates an enlarged detail sectional view of a film submerger and mover;

Figure 5 illustrates a view in elevation of one end thereof;

Figure 6 illustrates a plan view of one of the film submergers and transferring units;

Figure 7 illustrates a view in side elevation of the Washing tank and drier;

Figure 8 illustrates a view of one'of the submerging elements and parts associated with it;

Figure 9 illustrates an underneath plan View of the submerger;

Figure 10 illustrates an enlarged detail view partly in section of the sulnnerger and parts associated with it;

Figure 11 illustrates a plan view of a fragment of the washing tank;

Figure 12 illustrates a horizontal sectional view of part of one of the Walls 0f the Washing tank;

-Figure 13 illustrates a sectional view on the line 13-13 of Fig. 1l;

Figure 14 illustrates a detail view of a control for the film moving unit;

Figure 15 illustrates an enlarged detail view on the line 15-15 of Fig. 14;

Figure 16 illustrates a sectional View of one of the coacting film transfers;

Figure 17 illustrates a sectional view on approximately the line 17-17 of Fig. 5;

Figure 18 illustrates a plan view of a frag ment of one of the film transfers;

Figure 19 illustrates a sectional view of a fragment of said transfer' and the gearing for operating the same;

Figure 20 illustrates a plan view at the end of a fragment of the transfer opposite that shown in Fig. 1 9;

Figure 21 illustrates a detail view in plan of a part of the gearing; and Figure 22 illustrates a sectional view through the worm drive.

In carrying the invention into practice and as illustrated in the present embodiment of the invention, the casing A is intended for containing the film and is supplied with mechanism under the teachings of the patents numbered 1,346,780 and 1,359,481 to George C. Beidler, for transferring the film, exposing it and delivering it to a developing tank and instrumentalities associated with it, gen? erally identified by the letter B. In proximity to the developing tank, a film transfer C is designed to receive film from the developing tank and to convey it or transfer it to a receptacle D which is to contain fixing fiuld.

At or near one end of the fixing receptacle there is located a film transfer or conveyor, generally identified by the letter Fi, whose construction, function and operation will be described in detail hereafter. The film transfer E is optuative to remove film from the fixing receptacle and deliver it to a coacting film transfer, generally identified by the letter F. at or near one end of a tank or receptacle (i in which the film is washed. As film enters the washing tank, it is moved toward and directed to a film transfer or conveyer H at or near the end of the tank opposite that which contains the transfer F. The transfer H contains mechanism which acts to move film in the tank and thereafter remove it .from the tank, and this transfer is y referred to, generally identified by the letters April 3, 192s.

A to I, may be comprehended, each will be described in detail in order.

As those skilledin the art understand the structure and operation of the so-called commercial cameras and the manner in which film is taken from a roll or core and delivered to an exposing chamber and thereafter transferred to a receptacle at the `bottom of the exposing chamber, reference to the elements of such a camera is believed t be unnecessary.

The receptacle 25, in the present showing, is intended to receive the exposed film for development an'd the developer receptacle has a coillform film holder 26 in which the film is temporarily stored while it is being developed. Mechanisms, are associated with the developing receptacle which are operative to remove film from the developing receptacle and deliver it to the film transfer C. The application of this inventor, Serial Number 64,560, affords a disclosure of the mechanisms for transferring film associated with the develping receptacle and `said application has matured into Patent N o'.`- 1,664,7"29, dated The film transfer C is intended to subject i the film in its travel to an initial coating of CAD fixing fluidbefore it is finally delivered to the fixing bath,and it has been found in practice that this sokcalled momentary initial application of fixing fluid to the developed film serves to arrest development and to render it possible to temporarily store the film in the fixing receptacle While the film is being further and completely fixed without any appreciable change of the photograph on the film.v

The film transfer just mentioned is located, in the present embodiment of the invention,

at the front end of the fixing fiuid receptacle or tank, and films are deposited into the fixing fluid receptacle one at a time and in superimposed relation to one another, as has been stated.

Means in, or associated with, the fixing fiuid tank are operative to move the film step by step downwardl l inthe fixing fluid and after a predetermine number of films are "in the fixing fluid', one film is removed from the fixing tank each time one is deposited therein.

just mentioned constitutes that part of the apparatus generally identified by the numeral E and it is shown in section, Figl u This submerger and convyerl transfer is shown as including end frames` 0r plates,

- such asf26, and a cross bar 27 having journal bearings 28 in which shafts 29 are rotatable. A gear wheel 30 on the upper end of each surface 34 of the journal bearing, but the v said journal bearing has a notch or recess 35 on one side which permits the shaft 29 to move slightly axially when the pin or lug 33 registers with the recessf Upon'rotation of the shaft 29, however, the lug or pin rides out of. the slot or recess and then travels on the upper surface 34 of the journal bearing until the shaft has made a complete rotation, when it again moves downwardly with the pin 33 entering the seat 35. The gear wheels 30 and 31 mesh rather loosely when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 4, but a clearance l`is provided which will permit the gear wheel. 30 to rise with relation to the gear wheel 3l without impairing the teeth of the wheels when they are driven.

The worm 36 isg arranged on the shaft 29 and, in the present embodiment of the inconvolutions intended to receive film 37 and carry it downwardly in the fixing fluid. The upper blade or volution of the worm is flared slightly with respect to the next succeeding volution or 'blade to provide a mouth or clearance into which the film will ride or be guided to insure coactive relation of the film and the worm during the steps of the oper- Hvention, this worm comprises a plurality of It is to be understood that in the-machine The shaft 45 carries a plurality of bushings i 4or rollers 46 and these coact with wheels or rollers 47 on the shaft 48 for drawing film from the fixing fluid, it being shown that in- The film submerging and transferring means:

clined ,ribs or guides 49 extend diagonally upwardly and rearwardly toward the end of the frame and, in operation, films that have .been forced upwardl on'the inclined supports 49 are guided etween rollers 50 and 51 appropriately journaled transversely of the frame and these rollers are driven, as will presently appear, and are operative to carry the film outwardly from whence the films are film is then between the end of the conveyer and the roller. When the conveyer descends again, as it does when the pin or lug drops into the recess 35, the film is pressed into engagement with the roller or wheel, and the film is thereby forced from the receptacle. It is seen that the recess or depression 39, in the present embodiment of the invention, is curved, and it is the intention of the inventor that it should be elongated concentric with the circumference of the plate of the spiral conveyer in order that clearance will be afforded for the initial movement of the worm as it turns slightly and rides to its elevated position. The relation of parts is such that the bottom of the recess 39 does not come in engagement with the periphery of the roller 46 when the worm is in its lowermost position. The roller 40 should turn freely, butthe clearance is such that film will be gripped by the roller 40 when it is interposed between the worm and the roller.

The rollers 50 and 51 are geared together as at 52 and these rollers serve to carry film and, at the same time, squeeze or wring fluid from it in order that only a limited amount of fixing fluid will be carried by the film in its exit from the fixing receptacle. The roller 50 has a trunnion or shaft 53 and a wheel 54, such as a pulley, by which power is transmitted through the use of a gear wheel 55, an idle gear 56, a gear wheel 57 and a gear wheel 58 to drive parts of the mechanism. The wheel 56 is supported by a stub shaft 59 and the wheel 57 is on a shaft 66 that is rotatable in a bearing 61. The inner end of the shaft 60 carries a gear wheel 62 meshing with a gear wheel 63 on the shaft 48 so that by this means, the shaft 48 is positively driven and the elements 47 are turned to move filln in conjunction with the rollers 46 in the manner described. The gearing from the shaft 45 to l the gear wheel on the shaft 41 is likewise driven to operate the roller 40 which imparts an initial movement to the film resulting in delivering film between the rotating elements 46 {liid In order that the film submerger may be operated intermittently, a clutch or pawl and ratchet is interposed between the positively driven wheel 58 and the shaft 32 and, in the present embodiment of this clutch, the wheel 58 has a sleeve or extension 64 provided with shoulders 65, and a disk 6G secured on the shaft 32 has a pivot 67 on which a dog 68 1s oscillatable. The dog has a nose or shoulderengaging part 69 and hence, when the dog is 1n engagement with the shoulders or teeth 65, the wheel 58 will drive the shaft 32, whereas, when the dog is out of engagement with the shoulders or teeth 65, the wheel 58 will idle. A spring 70 is anchored to a stationary part of the device and bears against the dog to normally force it into coactive relation with the teeth 65, although means are provided for intermittently holding the dog inactive.

111 the present showing, a thrust rod 7l is movable in bearings 72 and 73 supported on the frame and, as shown in Fig. 6, the rod is in engagement with the tail-piece 74 of the dog and thereby the dog is held from engaging the ratchet teeth 65. Means are provided for shifting the rod 71 axially whileit is being partially rotated and, to that end, the bearing 73 is provided with a diagonally disposed slot 75 in which a pin 76 thatI extends radially from the rod 71 will travel so that as the rod 71 turns, the walls of the slot 75 will actas cams against which the pin 76 will operate to move the rod 71 into and outl of the path of travel of the tail ofthe dog. The rod 71 has an arm 77 to which aI link 78 is connected for partially rotating the rod during the operation of other parts of the apparatus, as will presently appear.

As it is desirable to move the submerger each time a film is delivered to the receptacle, the power applying mechanism for the suhmerger will operate when the rod 71 has been moved out of engagement with the dog, si nce, when this occurs, the spring will press the dog into engagement with the ratchet teeth and thus the movement of the wheel 58 will be communicated to the shaft 32. Immediately upon the release of the dog, it will be carried by the action of the wheel 58 ast the rod 71 and, thereafter, the rod wil be returned to the position in which it is shown in Fig. 6, when it will again be in the path of travel of the tail of the dog and it will arrest the dog and canse it to disengage the ratchet teeth. Hence, each time the rod 71 is moved out of engagement with the dog, the subinerger will be moved to submerge the uppermost film and to carry the successively submerged films downwardly in the fluid until they successively come in the zone of action of the rollers 40.

Preferably, the device is provided with a film guide which is effective to insure the entrance of the film to the submerging device and, in this embodiment of the invention, guiding plates, such as 79, with upwardly flared outer ends are supported at or about the level of the fluid to which film is delivered in the receptacle. The plates 79 are shown as having arms, such as 81, which extend upwardly and these arms are shaped to embrace a crossbar in which the shafts 29A are journaled, and the said arms may be secured in place by set or clamping screws 82.y The films traveling on or neaivthe vsurface of the fluidwhich encounters -the plates 79 will find their way under the plates to the flared portion Vof the submerger and this insures the assumption of proper position of the films with relation'to the submerging instrumentality.

After film has been submerged step by step in the receptacle just described andihas been removed therefrom past the rollers and 51, the film is delivered to a washin tank and, as an aid to the delivery of the lm in a flat or relatively flat state to the washing tank, the film isengaged by the coacting film transfer F which includes a frame having side plates 83 in which a 4shaft 84 isjournaled. The shaft may have pulleys one. jacket 85 thereon, over which conveyor bands or belts 86 may travel and the film issuing from the rollers 50 andl drops onto the surfaces of the conveyor elements 86. A shaft or roller 87 is journaled in the frame and the conveyor elements operate around it and around a drum or roller 88 on a plane below the elements 85 and 8 7 and in a location between them. Relatively heavy wheels or rollers 89 engage the upper surfaces of the conveyer elements86 and they coactwith said conveyer elements so rthat film received on the apron or conveyer element 86 is positively carried by-the conveyer element, owing to the friction or pressure of the rollers 89 which holds the film -in engagement with the conveyer element and augments the feeding or moving action of this transfer. It is shown in the drawing that the periphery of the roller 87 is preferably above the level 90 of the water in the washing tank 91 so that as film passes the roller 87, it is delivered on the surface of the water in the washing tank and is pushed longitudinally of the washing tank practically on the surface of the water. The shaft 89 of the rollers 89 is preferably movable vertically in a slot 892 and this allows an adjustment of the position of the rollers 89 to compensate f or variance in the tension of the conveyer elements 86.

The coacting film transfer Fis located at or near the receiving end of the film washing tank 91 and the film is thoroughly washed in said tank, by reason of the fact that constantly flowing water is circulated in the tank. Fresh water is delivered to the tank and after it has passed over and about the film, it escapes through a waste pipe. Itis the purpose of the inventor to utilize the force of the inflowing water to facilitate the delivery of film and the movement of the. film,l

in the tank in order that the film will be impelled and directed longitudinally of the tank into the zone of a film submerger and transfer, while at the same time the film is being washedand, tothe end just stated., the ,present embodiment of the invention includes the following instrumentalitiesn, viz: the side walls of the tank are each provided with a plurality of approximately vertically extending slots 92, which. form jets for the flow of water, whose walls are diagonally forward with lrespect to the direction of'movement of the film in the tank, andthe slotted portion of each wall has an externall header or pipe 93 through which water is delivered to the slots or ports 9,2. By this arrangement,

water that lisv being delivered to the tank through the ports under pressure serves to maintain the edges of the film clear of theside surfaces of the tank and prevents a drag of the film such as might result if the edges of the film engaged the sides of the tanks' The force of the water discharging lfrom the jets 92 also exerts a force on the film that aids in carrying it longitudinally ofthe tank so that these relatively deep jets augment the film washing action, andthe water issuing therefrom aids in moving the film longitudi-y nally of the tank and prevents the edges of the film from encountering the sides of the tank to a degree which might impair the free movement of the film. Water is supplied to the pipe or header 93 through any suitable conduit or pipe, such as 94, which may be connected to a water source, such as a header 95.

Further means areprovided for the delivery of water-to the tank and, while different piping systems may be employed, `the said header 95, here shown, extends 'transversely of the tank near one end and water may be vldelivered to itin any `suitable manner, as

through a connection 96. Pipes 97, to any number founddesirable or necessary, connect with the header and they extend longitudinally of the tank and terminate in jets 98 through which water is emitted upwardly and longitudinally of the tank, and the action of the water aids in buoying the film and moving it rearwardly of the tank, since the current or flow of Water in the tank is toward the end opposite that in which the header is located. Other jets 99 are locatedv in upwardly inclined positions under the auxiliary film transfer in the receiving end of the tank, and the force of water1 there from aids in washing the film and moving it longitudinally o fthewashin g tank.

As' a further means for delivering water to the tank where said water will impinge the film and aid in dislodging the/fixing fluid and chemicals, which itis desirable to re' move during the washing process, water pipesk 100 are supported labove thetank and they extend transversely thereof. -The pipes -100 have downwardly and rearwardly projecting jets 101 which discharge water under appropriate pressure to the upper surface of the film' as it is delivered to the tank, and the force of the water from these jets also aids the movement of the film longitudinally of the tank. The pipes 100 may be connected to any suitable source of water supply, but they are here shown as associated with a header 102. Valves or cocks 103 may be supplied for controlling the fiow of water. Therefore, under the influence of the action of the fihn transfer and the water flow and forces, film that has `been successively delivered to the washing tank is moved toward the end remote from the receiving end and into cooperative relation with a submerger and film transfer H.

'lhe film submerger and transfer H, in so f ar as the submerging instrumentalities and drives are concerned, is of the same construction as the submerger and transfer E, except that the'submergiug screw conveyer has a capacity for operating in conjunction with approximately twenty films instead of approximately ten and, as understood, this means but the provision of additional volutions or blades of the conveyer to provide spaces for the film equal to the number of films which it is desirable to have in the tank prior to the removal of the lowerlnost film. lVith this understanding, therefore, attention is directed to the description of the mechanism shown in Figs. el and 5, particularly, so that one skilled in the art will understand the structure of the film sublnerger and transfer H.

The film submcrger and transfer H, however, has added features, as compared with the submerger and transfer E, but these added features have to do with delivery of film to a drier, which has been generally .identified by the letter l. Rollers 104 and 105 of the submerger and transfer H, which correspond with the rollers and 51 of the submerger and transfer E, are associated with a metal roller 10G under which the film 107 travels from the washing tank. The roller 100 has the function of pressing the film and removing any coating of water that may be on the surface after it passes between the rollers 104 and 105. The roller 100 is journaled in link bearings 108, the lower ends of which are loosely applied to trunnions of the roller 104. v

l`he rollers 104 and 105 are geared together, as at 109, and the film is taken from the film transfer H by them and delivered to a conveyer 110. '.lhe film in its travel follows the direction of the arrow 111, (Figs. 1 and 3). lhe conveyer just mentioned consists of a frame rigid with the frame structure of the film transfer H and it hasdepending arms 112 with a shaft 113 journaled in the upper ends of the arms, and a shaft 114 journaled in the lower ends of the arms. The shaft 113 is positively driven through a train of gearmg 115. The shafts 113 and 114 have pulleys, such as 116, over which conveyer bands 117 are operated, and these conveyer bands receive the film and support it While it is being delivered between the drum 118 and the apron 119 of the drier. The drum 118 is, of course, provided with heat, but as drying drums of this type are known, and as the means for supplying heat thereto is also well known, the internal construction of the heating means for the drier will not be described in detail. It is obvious from an inspection of Fig. 1 that the apron 119 is looped around a roller or pulley 120 and around a roller or pulley 121 in spaced relation to the roller or pulley 120 so that the apron is continuous in form, operating around the two rollers 120 and 121, around the drum 118 and in engagement with -idlers 122, 123, 124 and 125, arranged in suitable bearings or brackets on the frame of the machine.' Film, which has been carried around the drum past the roller 121, is forced into engagement with a curved defiector 126 which causes it to bend or double on itself and traverse a course indicated by the arrows 127, (Fig. 3), to a receiver or pan 128 where the film is received in a finished dry state.

The treatment of film from the time it is exposed to the time that it is delivered in said finished state and the mechanisms heretofore described are positively driven intermittently, synchronously, or in time, so that successively or simultaneously, film is undergoing treatments leading to the production of finished photocopies, photoprints or photographs. f'

Preferably, that part of the mechanism which is intended to develop the film and fix it is installed in a photocopying machine associated with the exposing chamber and ('lSlIl' instriiihentalities which have to do with the focusing, and in this disclosure of the invention, it is so shown, although, obviously, these may 'be changed, under certain conditions. The developing tank and the fixing fluid tank are so associated with the camera structure, or the exposing means, as to move therewith and, since, in focusing, the relation of these parts with respect to the frame structure 129 is changed, it is also desirable to, at the same time, shift the position of the Washing tank and drier in order that they may be properly located to receive film from the fixing bath. To the end just mentioned, a frame 130, on which the Washing tank and drier are installed, is provided with wheels 131 which travel on a track 132. A link or connection 133 couples the frame 130 to a stud 134 which depends from the camera structure and, therefore, when the camera structure is moved in focusing, the frame 130 moves to exactly the same extent as the camera structure is moved so that the operating relation of the different parts is maintained.

.The arms 77 have been described as operating t-he thrust rods 71, one of which is assoand subject to the movement of the the sai ciated with the unit E andthe other is associated with the unit H. The, link 78 oonnects the armssoithat they move together.

when the lever 135, which operates the cutting mechanism of a machine of this character, is manipulated. The cutting lever' swings in the direction ofthe arrow 136 and the lower end of the lever moves into engagement with alever 137 oscillatable on a plvot '138,fand thejend of one of the links 78 is vand the pins on the thrust rods will cam in the slots of the bearings in which they are journaled and by this meansthe thrust rods are moved out of engagement with the dogs manuall f and returnedlhrough the action of el spring, although, of course, any appropriate means may be provided for intermittently arresting and releasing the dogs. The apparatus in its assembled state is, in the present embodiment of the invention,

`provided with a motor drive and, to that end, an electric motor 141 is mounted on the frame and a driven pulley 142 operates a flexible element 143, such as a belt,rchain, or thelike, over a Awheel 144 on a shaft 145.

vA worm 146 on the said shaft drives 'a worm wheelv 147 on a shaft 148.l A gear wheel 149 on the'v shafti148 meshes with a gear wheel linga sprocket wheel 160, drives the shaft 150 on one endv of a shaft of the roller or drum120 of the drier.- vA shaft 151 is journaled in appropriate bearings on the frame and a gearwheel 152 thereon meshes with the gearwheel 150and with a gear wheel 153'on the trunnion of the drier conveyer roller 120.- A sprocket chain 154 on the shaft 151 operlatesove'r a sprocket wheel 155 for driving the mechanism of the unit H.

Asha-ft 156 isjournaled transversely of the frame at the end opposite the vmotor and thisshaft carries a sprocket wheel 157 and ar pulley 158. A sprocket chain 159, engag- 156 through the engagement of the chain 159 Vwith the wheel 157. Any appropriate guide or adjusting means, such as 161, may be employed in the machine.

shown in Fig. 7 has a sprocket wheel 162 en-I Y gaging'a sprocket chain 163, operating over a sprocket Wheel 164 on the shaft 84 of .the unit F so that by this means, this auxiliary eonveyer is driven'.

I claim :l

1.A In van apparatus fortreating filma-anp tionally.,

exposing chamber for the films, a receptacle to which films are delivered for development,

a receptacle in proximity thereto for receiving iilmsfor fixingthe same, means for moving the films downwardly in the'said receptacle, means for removing,` the lowermost of the films successively, a washing tank, meansl for conveying the said films to thewashing tank and delivering them in. approximately horizontallyv superimposed.: relation toone another therein, means for mov-ing the films downwardly in the'washing tank in superimposed relation to onejanother, l'means for removing the lowermost of the films successively from the washing tank, a drier to which the films are delivered, and means for mov-l ing the filmsV .with relation to the drying delvice and ejeoting them therefrom ina finished state. j l

2. ln an apparatus 4for washing films, a washing tank having water supplying slots at the sidesy thereof with relation to which slots the ,edges of the films travel in their delivery to the tank, means for supplying water to the tank on planes above and below that occupied by the films in the tank, means to whieh'the films are delivered for moving the films downwardly in the tank in superimposed relation to one another, and means for removing the lowermost of the films successively from the tank.

3. In an apparatus washing tank having water supplying slots at the sidesthereof with relation to which slots the edges ofthe films travel in their delivery to the tank, means for supplying water, tothe tank on planes above and below that oc cupied by the films inthe tank, means to whichthe films are deliveredfor moving the films downwardly in the tank insuperimfor' washing films, af

posed relation to one another, means for removing the lowermost of the films successively from the tank, a film drier, and a film conveyer between the saidfilm. removing means and the drier, whereby films issuing from the tankl are delivered to the drier;

, 4. In a device for treating photographic I films,a receptacle adapted to contain fiuid for treating films, af receptacle in proximity theretofor containing fluid in treating films, means for moving superimposed films downwardly K inthe first mentioned receptacle, means for successively removing the lowermost of said films, means for delivering said films to the econd t` d t l 'The end of the shaft 156 opposite that s men lone rep ace m superimposed relation to one another, means for moving the films progressively down-` tacle, and means for operating the aforesaid The pulley 158 is belted to the pulley54 'i .and thus the unit E is driven.

instrumdntalities intermittently' or propor- 5. In a device fortrea-iiig photo raphie films, agreceptaclefadapted togentain fluid for treating films, a receptacle in proximity thereto for containing fluid in treating films, means for moving approximately horizontall v superimposed films downwardly in the first mentioned receptacle, means for successively removing the lowermost of said films, means for delivering said films tothe second mentioned receptacle in superimposed relation lo one another, means for moving the films progressively downwardly in the second mentioned receptacle, means for successively removing the lowermost film from the second mentioned receptacle, means for operating the aforesaid instrumentalities intermittently or proportionally, a drying mechanism to which the films are delivered from the second mentioned receptacle, and means for operating the aforesaid instrumentalities proportionally and in time.

G. In an apparatus for treating photographic films and washing the same, consisting of a receptacle, means for delivering film longitudinally of the receptacle, the said receptacle having conduits for water at the sides ofthe receptacle and provided with approximately vertically disposed slots constituting water delivery ports adapted to deliver water against the edges of and between superimposed films, the said slots being associated with means lfor directing water into the said receptacle in the direction of the movement of the films as they are delivered to the receptacle.

7. In an api'iaratus for treating photographic films and washing the same, consisting of a receptacle, means for delivering film` longitudinally of the receptacle, the said re ceptaele having conduits for water at the sides of" the receptacle and provided with approxiinately vertically disposed slots constituting water delivery ports adapted to deliver water against the edges of and between superimposed films, and means for delivering water to the receptacle into engagement with the films and exerting force on the films in the direction of the movement of the films in said receptacle.

8. In an apparatus for treating Aphotographic films and washing the same, consisting of a receptacle, the said receptacle having conduits for wafer at the sides of the receptacle and provided with approximately vertically disposed slots constituting water delivery ports adapted to deliver water against the edges of and between superimposed films, and means for delivering water to the receptacle in a downward and longitudinal direction with respect to the said receptacle.

9. In an apparatus for .treating photographic films, a receptacle adapted to contain fluid and receive photographic films, means for delivering films to the receptacle and moving them longitudinally thereof, and means for delivering water to the receptacle at its sides and exerting a force on the films to aid in moving them longitudinally of the receptacle, and maintaining the edges of the films out of contact with the sides of'- the receptacle.

10. In an apparatus for treating photographic films, a receptacle adapted to contain fluid and receive photographic films, means for delivering films to the receptacle and moving them longitudinally thereof, means for delivering water to the receptacle and exerting a force on the films to aid in moving them longitudinally of the receptacle, the said receptacle having water discharging slots at the sides for directing water transversely and longitudinally of the receptacle in engagement with films occupying the receptacle.

11. In an apparatus for treating photographic filns, a receptacle adapted to contain fluid and receive photographic films, means for delivering films to the receptacle and moving them longitudinally thereof, means for delivering Water to the receptacle and exerting a force on the films to aid in moving them longitudinally of the receptacle, the said receptacle having Water discharging slots at the sides for directing water transversely and longitudinally of the receptacle'in engagement with films occupying the receptacle, and a film transfer in the receptacle to which the aforesaid films moving means delivers films entering the said receptacle.

12.'In an apparatus for treating photographic films, a film washing tank having vertically extending water delivery slots discharging into the sides of the tank, the walls of said slots being diagonal with respect to the sides of the tank, whereby water is directed transversely and longitudinally of the tank.

13. In an apparatus for treating photographic films, a receptacle adapted to contain fluid, a subnierging worm rotatably mounted therein, a wheel rotatably mounted under the said worm and out of contact therewith, means for elevating the worm with respect to the Wheel as the worm rotates for creating a clearance for the deposit of a film between the worm and the wheel, and means for communicating motion to the said worm.

14. In an apparatus for treating photographic films, a receptacle adapted to contain fluid, a film transfer therein including a worm having an approximately vertically disposed axis, means for moving the worm axially and holding it retracted, a feed wheel rotatably mounted below the worm and adapted to eoact with the worm in ejecting films from thel receptacle, the said worm having a recess in its end constituting a clearance for the peri phcry of the said wheel, and means for driving the aforesaid parts.

l5. In an apparatus for treating photographic films, a receptacle adapted to contain fluid, a film transfer therein including a worm having an approximately vertically disposed axis, means for moving the worm axially and holding it retracted, a feed Wheel rotatably mounted l below the worm and adapted to coact with the worm in ejecting films from the receptacle, the said worm having a recess in its end constituting a clearance :for the periphery of the said wheel, -means for driving the aforesaid parts, a drier in proximity to said receptacle, a conveyer extending from the said receptacle into operative relation with the drier, whereby films ejected from the receptacle are delivered to the drier, and means for operating the con-V veyer and the drier in synchronism.

16. In an apparatus for treating photographic films, a coil-form film holder adapted to receive films from an exposing chamber of said apparatus, a receptacle for developer in which the film holder is located, a. fixing fluid receptacle in proximity thereto to which films are delivered from the film holder, and initially coated with fixing fluid in the'ir travel to the fixing fluid receptacle, a film submerger and transfer adapted to receive films flatwise in superimposed relation to one another, means for moving the films downwardly, means for removing the` films successively from the bottom of said superimposed films, a washing tank to which films are delivered from the fixing fluid receptacle, including a conveyer adapted to engage thefilms and force them into the washing tank, fluid pressure means for maintaining the films sus ended and in motion in the said tank, a 1m submerger and transfer in said tank to which films in approximately horizontal superimposed relation are delivered, means for moving the films downwardly inthe tank, means for removing the lowermost of the superimposed films from the tank progressively, a drier in operative relation to the said tank, including a conveyer for delivering films from the tank to the said conveyer, and means for operating the aforesaid mechanism synchronously.

17. In a. conveyer for photographic films, a support for the films consisting of belt-like elements, rollers around 4which the said elements are looped, one of said rollers being on a plane higher than that of the other roller, the frame upon which the rollers are rotatably mounted being adapted to be located in a fluid receptacle, the relation of parts being such that the lowermost of the two rollers has its periphery above the level of fluid contained in the receptacle, whereby the conveyer element in its travel over the lowermost roller has its surface elevated above the fluid in the receptacle, and means for holding the film supporting surfaces of the conveyer element under the said fluid for a portion of its travel in the receptacle. v

' GEORGE C. BEIDLER. 

